Roller derby team discounts image of violence, seeking a good time
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| Left: Members of the newly formed Rollin’ Rebels Roller Derby Team jostle for position in a derby simulation during team practice Tuesday evening. Practice was at Skate Castle in Newton. (Jessica Dean/Special to the Daily News) |
Despite what their name may suggest, Newton’s own Rollin’ Rebels roller derby team follows rules. Just not the rules set down by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), a membership organization for the sport as well as its international governing body.
“We’re renegades. There’s a thing call WFTDA ... but we’re not moving in that direction,” said Rollin’ Rebels co-founder and head coach Barbara Riley, known by the team as “Rebel Yellin’ Rocket.”
“When you go WFTDA, you get a lot more restrictions — more rules and regulations put on you,” said Leanne “Rebellicious Sergtaz” Sergio, the team’s second co-founder.
Due to the nature of the roller derby sport, rules and regulations are needed to ensure a safe “bout,” or match, for all players. But the renegade team believes use of proper safety equipment and common sense help make them who they are, not a fancy membership to WFTDA and certainly not a violent image sometimes associated with roller derby teams.
“People think (roller derby) is beating the crap out of people, but that’s not what it is. We don’t go around punching people in the face, breaking teeth — that’s more old school,” Riley said. “You are susceptible to injury. It’s just like any sport, you’re going to get hurt. It happens to the best skaters. It’s no different than football; you’re going to get hurt in football, you’re going to get hurt in soccer.”
“It’s not like in the ’70s when you’d watch on TV when they’d clothesline you,” Sergio said, noting that although the sport carries with it certain dangers, measures are taken to protect all players. For instance, knee and elbow pads, wrist guards, helmets and mouth guards are required.
The fledgling team has yet to match up with other teams, but they do have some bouts scheduled in the coming months.
“It’s a matter of I have to know that those skaters are ready before I’ll put them out there with another team,” Riley said. “I have to make sure that they’re ready to go, otherwise they’re going to get creamed. That’s where the injuries come in. ... You have to have the knowledge and the know-how if you get hit. You’ve got to know how to fall. But we do run scrimmages and that’s what teaches them how to do all that stuff.”
What differentiates the local roller derby team from its counterparts in the more strict membership organization is the fact that the Rollin’ Rebels recently have welcomed men into their group, furthering their renegade status. The current count is two on a team of roughly 15.
“You have some that drop, some that come in, so the numbers are always fluctuating,” Riley said. “We’re trying to get a solid 20 together.”
The Rollin’ Rebels don’t discriminate based on age, either.
“You know, that’s another thing that sets us apart is in WFTDA you have to be 18 (but) we’ll take 17-year-olds with parent consent,” Riley said.
“The parent has to be standing in front of me to fill out the paperwork,” Sergio added.
The duo noted that only weeks ago they had a 50-year-old come to a practice.
“We’ve got homemakers to people in security — all walks of life,” Riley said. “We are a professional people with a little bit of a wild side.”
To join the Rollin’ Rebels, all it takes is one free practice any Tuesday night from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Skate Castle in Newton. After that, cost is $20 per month to cover the skating rink fees.
“We’re trying to get people from the small towns to come in,” Riley said. “We wanted to be separate and away from Des Moines so we could do our own thing and give people who maybe don’t want to drive to Des Moines the opportunity to play derby. We’ll teach you everything you need to know.”
For more information, call (515) 650-8069 or visit www.rollinrebels.com.
Amy Gronauer can be contacted at 792-3121 ext. 426 or via e-mail at agronauer@newtondailynews.com.
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Most Recent Comment wrote on ...
I appreciate your apology, and I can verify that the Rebels were not there on the January 14th. I can tell everyone that the other owner and myself do not tolerate this behavior. Thank you again for your apology, takes a bigger person to admit when they have accused the wrong people. |
